Yesterday’s New York primary ended as predicted. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump easily defeated their rivals. It proved nothing with the exception of the fact that the Republican nominee is still undecided. The RNC continues to make desperate and expensive efforts to derail Trump’s goal to obtain the 1,237 delegates needed before the July convention.
In six days Pennsylvania will hold its primary; Trump is leading by more than 20 points. For Democrats, Hillary Clinton leads Bernie Sanders by 13 points.
Everyone has an opinion about everything in this election year. Most of them are simply designed to incite readers and viewers in an effort to maintain ratings.
For Democrats, the truth is that Hillary Clinton will be the party’s presidential candidate in November. Speculation that supporters of Bernie Sanders will not vote for Clinton are dramatic, but inaccurate. Bernie Sanders will ask his supporters to vote for Ms. Clinton. She supports most of Sanders’ ideas and principles. I believe that this year the Democratic Party and Independents will join to defeat a totally unqualified Republican offering.
The Republican Party is far more interesting. It is obvious that Trump will arrive at the convention with the most delegates, but will he receive the nomination? There are only two possibilities. If he does secure the needed 1,237, he will be the party’s standard bearer. If he fails, a brokered convention will nominate another candidate. In either situation, the GOP candidate will be a weak, unqualified, and disliked right wing extremist.
There is much discussion regarding a Clinton-Trump battle in November. Let me offer the truth, some common sense, and remove the sensational comments from the mainstream media.
Trump has no chance of defeating Clinton; and neither does Cruz. Barring a major event, negatively affecting Ms. Clinton, the United States will elect its first woman president on November 8th.
American voters often cast their ballots without thought or investigation of the candidate who receives their vote; they foolishly vote along party lines. This will not be the same situation in November. A true American must be elected; one who respects the principles of our founding fathers. That fails to describe Trump.
There is a far greater problem for the Republican Party. After November, will it remain intact? Regardless of efforts by Republican leadership, the fact remains that it needs voters to remain loyal to the once Grand Old Party. At least 40 percent of the party’s supporters have rejected the establishment, and there are at least two more factions which will likely fracture the status quo.
The Republican establishment must face the fact that the party is more important than winning a single election. This one is over. Republicans may not only lose the presidency, but thanks to obstructionist tactics by Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, control of the Senate is likely to return to Democrats.
The greatest truth of all is that Donald Trump did not destroy the Republican Party; Republican leadership, or more accurately, a lack of Republican leadership is the culprit. Instead of moving the party forward, the policy of relying on its base has continued. The establishment has failed to recognize the changes in demographics in our nation, a serious interest from younger voters, and a growing bloc of single women voters.
Living in the past will lose the future for the GOP.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Photo Courtesy of DonkeyHotey
Read James Turnage at http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2
The Truth With No Restrictions 